Ernie Barry

The meeting commenced with the calling to order and acknowledgements, noting this was the first board meeting hosted at the TTU HSC Dallas campus. Appreciation was expressed for the service of Regent Pat Gordon, who resigned upon appointment to the Texas Transportation Commission. Introductions and recognitions included new Chief Audit Executive Terresa Jack, Chancellor Emeritus Ted Mitchell, the MSU Texas Men's Soccer Team for winning the 2025 NCAA Division 2 National Championship, the MSU Texas Team Seline participating in the NASA suits competition, the Texas Tech Choir for its performance at the Texas Music Educators Association convention, and the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health, detailing its success with the access to breast health program. The Chancellor provided an update on his first 99 days and discussed the recently released president's annual report.

This document provides a comprehensive budget overview and analysis of capital projects for the Texas Tech University System from Fiscal Year 2021 to 2026. It details facilities planning and construction initiatives across its component institutions, including Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, Angelo State University, and Midwestern State University. The strategic focus encompasses infrastructure development, facility upgrades, and expansion, with an emphasis on managing project budgets, tracking cost variances, and ensuring fiscal responsibility.

The Board of Regents meeting agenda for February 26, 2026, included sessions as a Meeting of the Board and Committee of the Whole, followed by sequential committee meetings for Facilities, Finance and Investments, Academic, Clinical and Student Affairs, and Audit. Key discussions involved approving the 2026 BOR meeting schedule and SGA Reports. The Facilities Committee agenda focused on approving expenditures and design services for the Texas Tech University Design Village project and the new Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources building project, as well as approving project budgets and GMPs for TTUHSC El Paso's Clinical Sciences Building and Comprehensive Cancer Center projects. The Finance and Investments Committee planned to review the FY 2025 Annual Combined Financial Report and an Investment Performance Update. The Academic, Clinical and Student Affairs Committee planned to consider the designation of the Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professorship and the conferral of an honorary degree by TTUHSC. The agenda also included a scheduled Executive Session to discuss matters including consultation with attorney, real property, prospective gifts, personnel matters, and security devices.

The strategic plan, titled 'Value Added, Value Accounted,' for the Texas Tech University System Administration, outlines its priorities and goals to support its component institutions. The plan is structured around five key areas: Leadership & Coordination of Components, Institutional Support, Revenue Generation, Efficiencies & Productivity, and External Relations. Its overarching aim is to effectively lead and support the system's institutions, enhancing their missions and contributing to the advancement of higher education, healthcare, research, and outreach in Texas.

The multi-day board meeting included sequential committee meetings and full board sessions. Key actions taken by committees included the Academic, Clinical and Student Affairs Committee approving a new Master of Science degree in Economics for TTU and accepting a strategic report on the Path to the AAU. The Audit Committee approved the 2026 annual audit plan. The Facilities Committee approved significant expenditures and Guaranteed Maximum Prices for Bid Package II of the TTUHSC El Paso Clinical Sciences Building project ($30,167,482 additional expenditure) and the Comprehensive Cancer Center project ($18,164,091 additional expenditure). The Finance and Investments Committee approved the FY 2026 operating budgets for all system entities and amendments to Regents' Rules regarding Fiscal Management, including debt management and tuition flexibility. During the open session, the Board adopted a new System Regulation establishing Faculty Senates, approved amendments to regulations on freedom of expression, authorized revised employment agreements for several university presidents, and approved the renaming of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Center to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Institute. Additionally, the Board acknowledged actions regarding low-producing degree programs across ASU, MSU, and TTU, including the planned closure of TTU's M.A. in Economics and ASU's B.A. in Philosophy. Several exceptions to the nepotism policy were approved for ASU, MSU, and TTU, and various faculty development leaves of absence and leaves without pay were approved for TTU faculty.